Device for preventing spreading of railroad rails



Nov. 29, 1927, 1,651,075

q H. TIBBETTS DEVICE FOR PREVENTiNG SPREADING OF RAILROAD RAILS Filed March 14, 192'! INVENTOR WITNESSES 0,91, [5' 775567715 ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 29, 1927. I

UNITED STATES CHARLES E. TIBBETTS, OF NEW CASTLE, COLORADO.

DEVICE FOR PREVENTING SIIREAIIDIIWH OF RAILROAD BALLS.

Application filed latch 14, 1927. Serial No. 175,302.

This invention has for its object the provision of a device adapted to be secured to the rails of the track to prevent the same.

from s reading at any time during the period 0 its use, and ,also to assist in bringing into position any rails which may ave spread. To accomplish this the present 1nvention provides a means acting as a lever fulcrumed or pivoted adjacent one end to oppositely directed arms or.other similar devices which connect the rails of the-track.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows .the device attached in a perspective view, and

Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the device with the lever armsratt'a'ched thereto.

Referring to the drawing, the device comprises an elongated member 1, which is preferably substantially triangular or wedgeshape in form, and a pair of oppositely directed arms 2 having upturned portions or lugs 3 at their inner ends dis osed in on agement with the opposite si e edges 0 the member 1, preferably adjacent its widest end. The outer ends of these arms 2 are, in turn, formed to provide upturned portions or lugs 4 to engage the outer sides of the rails of the track. The ends of the upturned portions or lugs 3 and 4:, at the opposite ends of the arms 2 are preferably inturned sufficiently to admit of secure engagement with the member 1 and the track rails respectively, substantially as shown. The member 1 extends from its connection with the arms 2 in substantially right angular relation at all times, but is capable of being swung laterally in either direction from its normal position medially between the rails to draw the arms 2 inwardly one toward and past the other, so that the rails may be straightened to conform to the proper gauge of the track.

In the application of the device to a track, the arms 2 are disposed transversely thereof in slightly ofi'set parallel relation and with their outer end port-ions'passing beneath the rails, and the outer upturned ends 4 engaged over the outer sides of the lower flanged portions of the latter. When disposed in this position, the member 1 is positioned above the inner overlapping ends of the arms 2 and between the Inner upturned portions or lugs 33. By tapping on the widest end of the member 1, the same, will be driven in wedge 'tlleret position, so that the arms 2 will be drawn or tensioned inwardly and the rails, if outwardly sprung or buckled, will be similarly drawninwardly or straightened to the normal gauge of the track. The member 1 is pro- Vided with a pair o'f apertures spaced inof its opposite ends to have driven rough and into rail supporting ties, on which the member 1 is laid, suitable fastenlngs or spikes 5 and 6, whereby the parts will be securely sustained in their initially wardly adjusted and operative positions as afore said. By driving the fastening 5 into place, prior' to driving the fastening 6, the same will function as a fulcrum or'pivot for the member 1, so that the latter may be employed as a lever to actuate the arms 2 to draw the rails further and more accurately into proper gauge if necessary.

Without further description, it is thought that the features and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art,.and it will of course be understood that changes in the form, proportion and minor details of construction may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or its scope as claimed.

I claim 1. A device for preventing spreading of rails which comprises a rigid member pivoted near one end thereof, and'rigid arms extending from said member-near the pivoted end thereof, the said arms being engaged by the member and being adapted to gri the rails on the track and to bend the sai rails when the. pivoted member is rotated about its pivot.

2. A device of the character described comprising a member adapted to be pivoted near one end thereof, and means engaged in right angular relation by said member and adapted to grip and bend the rails when the member is rotated about its pivot.

rails comprising oppositely directed arms engaging the rails at their outer ends, an angularly disposed operating member engaging the inner ends of said arms, and means for securing said operating member in arrad-v 1 Ice 3. A device for preventing spreading of y parallel arms engaging the rails at their outer ends, an angularly disposed operating member engaging the inner ends of said arms adjacent one of its ends, and means for securing said operating member in an ad justed angular'relation to said arms; Whereby to sustain the arms and railsagainst relative movements from adjusted positions,

5. A device for preventing separating of rails comprising oppositely directed spaced parallel arms engaging the rails at their outer ends and having their inner ends disposed in overlapping relation, an angularly disposed operating member engaging the inner overlapping ends of said arms adja cent one of its ends, and means for securing said operating member in an adjusted angular relation to said arms, whereby to sustain the arms and rails against relative movements from adjusted positions.

- 6. A device for preventing separating of rails comprising oppositely directed arms adapted to engage the outer sides of the rails at their outer ends and having their inner ends disposed ein overlapping relation, an angularly disposed, substantially triangular, elongated operating member engaging the inner overlapping ends of said arms, and means for securing said operating member in an adjusted angular relation to said arms, whereby to sustain the arms and rails against relative movement from ad usted positlons.

7. A device for prevgnting separating of 'positions.

8. A device for preventing separating of rails comprising oppositely directed arms, upstanding portions at the outer ends of said arms adapted to engage the outer sides 7 of the rails, upstanding portions at the inner ends of said arms, an angularly disposed operating member: engaging said last-mentioned upstanding portions of said'arms and adapted to actuate the arms to adjust the rails to proper gauge, and means adapted to secure said operating member to certain of the rail supporting tiesat one side of said arms for adjustment.

' CHARLES H. TIBBETTS. 

